Why Hope is a Garden?

 

 

Why Hope is a Garden?

 

I started blogging in 2008 with the blog Healing, Hope and Possibility. I blogged continuously changing the title of the blog to reflect my latest book title. On October 10, 2020, I signed off from The Adventures of Runnergirl blog and focused on writing, “Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic.” I released it in early March.

 

When I wrestled with the decision about whether or not to receive the vaccine, I knew it was time to resume writing a blog. Since my previous blogs morphed from one book title to another, Hope is a Garden is the natural title for my next blog. This will be a blog about poetry, healing, hope and possibilities, running, health and wellness and ongoing wisdom and insights during this unprecedented time in American history.

 

April is National Poetry Month and I am delighted to share with you excerpts from “Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic” and “Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life.”

 

My poetry journey began when I was 5 years old. I contracted the polio virus in one of the last polio epidemics in the US. My brilliant, compassionate and loving physical therapist had me select a Dr. Seuss book to read before my painful physical therapy sessions coaxing affected nerves and muscles back to health. During the sessions she would have me recite what we’d read, invariably The Cat in the Hat, back to her in tandem to distract me from the painful treatments.

 

In February of 2007, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. The answer came in the form of a poem, Running the Race, and poems poured out of me in which I visualized myself healthy, whole and running free even though I had never run a day in my life. It foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run.

 

After a brief hiatus from writing poetry, I returned to the power of my pen what I affectionately call my Divining Rod for healing as we went into lockdown.

 

Last October, while planting a flower bed for the first time in our yard, I was inspired to write what came to be the title poem for my book.

 

Hope Is A Garden  

 

Dirt stained knees

spade turning over soil

feelings flutter

tenderly tilling the earth

lovingly placing bulbs

embodiment of expectations and hope.

 

Hope is a garden

holding seeds in hand

awe-some

everything they need to know

ready to burst forth.

 

Patience and perseverance

faith abides

kneeling

knowing no prayers needed

all unfurls in Divine Timing.

 

In darkness hope stirs

light pierces through

as new life breaks ground

yet invisible to the eye

seeds of infinite possibilities

hope the harvest of imagination.

 

I’m taking photos as the garden grows:

 

I’m delighted to be blogging again to inspire and uplift others while having this fabulous forum for my ongoing creative outlet. 

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness 

Mary

For more information about my journey from childhood polio and trauma to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond, visit my website.

 

"Hope is a Garden:Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic" along with all of my books to inspire and uplift you is available on Amazon.